1891 Rand McNally Map of Italy

Description: This is a beautiful example of Rand McNally and Company's 1892 map of Italy. It covers the Italian peninsula after its unification. The islands of Sardinia and Corsica are included. In 1861, Giuseppe Garibaldi and his Red Shirts led the drive for Italian national solidarity. On March 17, 1861, the Sardinian government led by the Count of Cavour finally declared a unified Kingdom of Italy. even so, Italy would not be fully united until the Franco-Prussia War forced France to abandon its support of the Papal States in 1870. Color coded according to region, this map identifies numerous cities and towns, as well noting mountains, rivers, and various other topographical details. Relief shown by hachure. Issued as plate nos. 78 and 79 in the 1895 issue of Rand McNally and Company's Indexed Atlas of the World - possibly the finest atlas Rand McNally ever issued.

Cartographer:
Rand McNally (fl. 1856 - present) is an American publisher of maps, atlases and globes. The company was founded in 1856 when William H. Rand, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, opened a print shop in Chicago. Rand hired the recent Irish immigrant Andrew McNally to assist in the shop giving him a wage of 9 USD per week. The duo landed several important contracts, including the Tribune's (later renamed the Chicago Tribune) printing operation. In 1872 Rand McNally produced its first map, a railroad guide, using new cost effective printing technique known as wax process engraving. As the Chicago developed as a railway hub the Rand firm, now incorporated as Rand McNally, began producing a wide array of maps and guides. Over time the firm expanded into atlases, globes, education books, and general literature. By embracing the cost effective wax engraving process Rand McNally was able to dominate the map and atlas market, pushing more traditional American lithographic publishers like Colton, Johnson, and Mitchell out of business. Eventually Rand McNally opened an annex office in New York City headed by Caleb S. Hammond, whose name is today synonymous with maps and atlases, and who later started his own map company, C. S. Hammond & Co. Both firms remain in business. Click here for a list of rare maps by Rand McNally.

Size: Printed area measures 20 x 27 inches (50.8 x 68.58 centimeters)

Condition:
Very good. Minor wear along original centerfold. Text on verso.